# NTSB ATL87LA040: Hughes 269C, N58188, Charlotte, NC, December 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1986, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Charlotte, NC
- Coordinates: 35.230587, -80.840843 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2306&lon=-80.8408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7357
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7357/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA040

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - rotor drive system,engine to transmission drive - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING AT 300' TO 500' AGL ON A CABLE PATROL FLT, THE PLT HEARD A LOUD LOISE. THE ROTOR RPM STARTED TO DECAY & THE ENG RPM INCREASED SHARPLY. THE PLT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION TO A PARKING LOT, BUT HAD TO MANEUVER TO AVOID TREES & A VEHICLE. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD ON THE RGT SKID, COLLAPSING THE SKID & DAMAGING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. AN INV REVEALED THE FORWARD COUPLING SPLINES ON THE LOWER PULLEY DRIVE SHAFT, PN 269A5559-3, HAD FAILED, EFFECTIVELY DISCONNECTING THE ENG FROM THE MAIN ROTOR. THE BOOT FOR RETAINING THE LUBRICANT IN THE SPLINE AREA WAS MISSING & THE SPLINE & RECEPTACLE WERE DRY OF LUBRICANT. THE ACDNT OCCURRED ABOUT 71 HRS AFTER THE COUPLINGS HAD BEEN REPACKED WITH LUBRICANT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58188](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58188-1998-07-17), registration cancelled 1998-07-17, S/N 380675 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 380675
- Airframe hours: 6118
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mid States Helicopter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 15, 1986, 58 hours before
- Departed: BUY, BURLINGTON, NC
- Destination: 8A6, CHARLOTTE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 900 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 10 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19861210071579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861210071579A), Dec 10, 1986: Hughes 269C, Charlotte, NC, Substantial damage. The helicopter lost power and impacted in a parking lot. Lower pulley shaft failed. Suspect poor maintenance.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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